Base and post stabilization system

ABSTRACT

A crowd control stanchion has a base and a post configured to be joined to the base. An insert is used to selectively couple the base and the post in a secure manner, the insert being secured to the base and disposed within the post. The insert has an upper portion that is selectively moveable relative to a lower portion. When the portions are manipulated, they apply radial pressure on the inside wall of the post. Such radial pressure increases the static friction between the insert and the post, thus reducing the probability that the post will move either vertically or rotationally relative to the base.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention is directed generally to a crowd control stanchionand more specifically, to a crowd control stanchion having a selectivelymovable insert for securing a post to a base.

BACKGROUND

Stanchions comprised of a base and post system are common. Moststanchions are used as public guidance systems or crowd controlmeasures. Crowd control stanchions, as this genre will be referred to,are generally manufactured and assembled at the factory. While thismethod lessens the chance of faulty assembly of the stanchion, itdramatically increases the cost of shipping and storage of thestanchions. Due to the stanchion's unusual shape, only a few stanchionswill fit in a box and much of the box's space is wasted. Somemanufacturers have started manufacturing and shipping the elements ofthe stanchion separately. That is, the base, the post, and anyretractable belt or other accessory are manufactured and shippedseparately and the stanchion requires assembly before use. Separateshipping decreases shipping and storage costs by reducing the size andnumber of boxes required, because all posts may be placed in one box andshipped together, all bases in another box, etc. However, the assemblyrequirement increases the chance of faulty assembly of the stanchion,which further increases the chance of accidents occurring during theutilization of the crowd control stanchion.

Crowd control stanchions are generally designed to be heavy anddifficult to move, so as to discourage the unauthorized removal ormovement of the stanchions. This is generally accomplished by utilizinga base made of a heavy metal such as steel or iron. The base usually hasa small protrusion which the larger hollow post is place over. The postcan then be secured to the protrusion, and thus the base, by affixing ascrew through the post into the protrusion. The whole of the stanchionis thus heavy to move. However, there are several problem with thisdesign. In the assembly process, often times the post is not securedproperly, thus making it easy for an unauthorized user to pull the postoff the base. Because the post is frequently manufactured from a lightermaterial in order to reduce costs, incidents have occurred wherechildren have pulled the post from the base and then playfully swung thepost around until someone has been injured. Additionally, the post isgenerally affixed to the protrusion of the base with a small screw, onethat will often bend if the base is battered around too much. Obviously,if the screw bends too far, it will break causing numerous problems.Additionally, bending the screw will cause the post to become angled,leaving a less desirable looking stanchion. One solution to this problemis to machine the post and the base to which it couples to exactingaccuracy. However, this solution is quite costly.

What is needed is a cost-effective, easy-to-assemble solution that willincrease the stability of the post while still allowing the individualelements of the stanchion to be shipped separately.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an exploded view of a crowd control stanchion according toan embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2A shows a side view of an assembled crowd control stanchion;

FIG. 2B shows a cross-sectional view of the stanchion of FIG. 2A takenalong line B-B.

FIG. 3A shows an embodiment of the insert in its engaged state.

FIG. 3B shows a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the insert inits engaged state.

FIG. 4A shows a cross-sectional view of a different embodiment of theinsert.

FIG. 4B shows a cross-sectional view of a different embodiment of theinsert in its engaged state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to crowd controlstanchions incorporating an insert to secure a post to a base. Theinsert is secured to the base and disposed within the post. The insertis composed of two portions that can be selectively moved relative toeach other, by use of a bolt. When the portions are manipulated, theportions apply radial pressure to the inside wall of the post alongsignificant surface area. Such radial pressure increases the staticfriction between the insert and the post, thus reducing the probabilitythat the post will move either vertically or rotationally relative tothe insert and thus to the base. The reduction in movement lessens theprobability that the post will become detached from the base by anunauthorized user or that the post will become bent.

The crowd control stanchion of the present invention is easily assembledand secured, thus reducing the chances of faulty assembly. Moreover, theuse of an insert provides a cost-effective solution to maintain theintegrity of the post and base system while, at the same time, allowingthe base and post to be easily disassembled for easier andcost-effective shipping and storage alternatives.

FIG. 1 depicts a crowd control stanchion according to an embodiment ofthe present invention. The crowd control stanchion, according to oneembodiment, includes a base 10, a decorative cover 20, an insert 30having an upper portion 210 and a lower portion 220, a bolt 230 (seeFIG. 2) and a post 40. According to an embodiment of the presentinvention, the base 10 is constructed from a heavy element, for example,steel or iron may be used. According to an embodiment, the base 10 hasan arcuate shape, and a first axial opening 50, extending completelytherethrough, that may be threaded to accept a threaded section 270 ofthe lower portion 220 of the insert 30. Thus, the insert 30 may besecured to the base 10 by threading the threaded section 270 of thelower portion 220 of the insert 30 into the threaded first axial opening50 in the base 10. The non-threaded section 290 of the lower portion 220of the insert 30 extends out of the first axial opening 50. The post 40is then placed over the insert 30 and placed in communication with thebase 10, such that the upper portion 210 and the non-threaded section290 of the lower portion 220 of the insert 30 are completely disposedwithin the post 10.

FIG. 2A shows a side view of an assembled crowd control stanchion andFIG. 2B shows a cross-sectional view of the stanchion of FIG. 2A takenalong line B-B. Once the post 40 has been placed over the insert 30 andis in communication with the base 10, the stanchion is ready for finalassembly. A bolt 230 is used to engage the two portions 220, 210 of theinsert 30 which secures the post to the insert 30 and base 10. The bolt230 passes vertically through an offset axial opening 250 in theunderside of the threaded section 270 of the lower portion 220 of theinsert 30 and is threaded into a second offset axial opening 280 in theunderside of the upper portion 210. The upper portion 210 and the lowerportion 220 are loosely joined by passing the bolt 230 through the lowerportion 220 and partially threading it into the upper portion 210. Thisensures that one does not have to line up the offset axial opening 250in the lower portion 220 with the second offset axial opening 280 in theupper portion 210 after the post 40 has already been placed over theinsert 30. In an embodiment of the invention, the base further includesa set-screw hole and a set-screw such that, after the insert 30 has beenthreaded into the base 10, the set-screw is engaged, putting pressureupon the insert 30 so that the insert cannot be unthreaded from the base10 unless the set-screw is disengaged.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the two portions 220, 210 ofthe insert 30 resemble two halves of a cylinder cut into wedges so thatthey have inclined surfaces, and there will be both a short side and along side to both wedges (the short side of the upper portion 210 isopposite to the short side of the lower portion 220, see FIG. 3B).Because the offset axial openings 280, 250 do not pass exactly throughthe midpoints of their respective portions 210, 220, when the bolt 230is tightened, it causes the upper portion 210 of the insert 30 to becomeoffset relative to the lower portion 220 of the insert 30. In oneembodiment of the present invention, the offset axial openings aresituated thusly: the offset axial opening 250 in the lower portion 220of the insert 30 is situated so that the opening 250 is closer to theshortest sidewall of the lower portion wedge 220; the other offset axialopening 280 is located closer to shortest sidewall of the upper portion210. Thus, when the bolt is tightened, the shorter sidewalls of bothportions 220, 210, will be moved closer together, causing the portions220, 210 to slip against each other and become offset. The edge of thelong sidewall of one portion 210,220, dangles over the edge of the shortsidewall of the other portion 210, 220, as can be see in FIG. 3A, B.

When the bolt 230 is tightened after the post 40 has been placed overthe insert 30, both portions 210, 220 press against opposite insidewalls 240 of the post 40, applying radial pressure thereto along theentire length of the long sidewalls if the two portions 210, 220 of theinsert 30. In this embodiment of the invention, the pressure applied isnot truly radial as the pressure is exerted upon less than 360 degreesof the inside wall of the post (the pressure is applied to approximately90 degrees of the inside wall 240 for each portion 210, 220 of theinsert 30). However, for lack of a better name, such pressure will bereferred to as “radial.” The increase in radial pressure causes acorresponding increase in static friction between the insert 30 and thepost 40 and reduces the ability of the post 40 to move vertically orrotationally relative to the base 10.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the two halves of theinsert 30 are not cut at an angle forming a upper portion and a lowerportion. Instead, the cylinder has two portions 410, 420 that are formedby a vertical cleave along a portion of the longitudinal axis of theinsert (See FIG. 4). However, the manner and function of the insert 30is the same as the previously mentioned embodiment. As the bolt 230 istightened, the bolt 230 causes expansion of the two portions 410, 420,causing both portions 410, 420 to move away from the center of theinsert, increasing the radius of the insert. Thus, when the post 40 hasbeen placed over the insert 30 and the bolt 230 is tightened, theportions 410, 420 apply true radial pressure against the inside wall 240of the post 40.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the axial opening 50 inthe base 10, does not extend completely therethrough. Instead, the axialopening 50 extends from the top of the base to the bottom, stopping afew centimeters before the bottom surface of the base. Another boltplacement opening 295 extends from the bottom surface of the base 10through to the axial opening 50. In this additional embodiment, the bolt230 is placed through the bolt hole 295 before being inserted into theoffset axial opening 250 in the bottom portion 220 of the insert 30. Itis then threaded into the upper portion 210 of the insert 30 aspreviously described. The added benefit to this embodiment is that itmore thoroughly connects the insert 30 and the base 10, and thus, afterassembly more thoroughly secures the post 40 to the base 10.

In a another embodiment of the present invention, the post 40 furtherincludes a means for dispensing a retractable belt for linking aplurality of stanchions together, however, other embodiments may includean eyelet from which ropes may be attached with either a hook or snapconnector and said ropes may link a plurality of stanchions together.Still further embodiments may include a molding to which rigid railingmay be secured, said rigid railing connecting a plurality of stanchions.In addition, although the post 40 may be generally cylindrical andelongated with a circular cross-section, in alternative embodiments, thepost 40 may be square or any other suitable shape.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the base 10 has a generallyarcuate shape. However, in alternative embodiments, the base 10 may besquare, flat, sloped or any other suitable shape. In addition, the post10 may be made from any suitable material, such as, e.g., plastic.Similarly, while in an embodiment of the present invention, the entiretyof the interior of the post is hollow, in other embodiments, only aportion, e.g., the lower portion, of the post may be hollow.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the insert 30 may becylindrical with a circular cross-section, however, in otherembodiments, the insert 30 may be square or any other suitable shapethat allows one of the portions 210, 220 of the insert 30 to moverelative to another one of the portions 210,220 and thereby placepressure on the inside wall 240 of the post 40.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the insert 30 may be threadedinto the base 10, however in other embodiments, the insert 30 may bewelded to the base 10 or in some other form, permanently attached to thebase 10.

While the description above refers to a particular embodiment of thepresent invention, it will be understood that many modifications may bemade without departing from the spirit thereof. The accompanying claimsare intended to cover such modifications as would fall within the truescope and spirit of the present invention. The presently disclosedembodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects asillustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention beingindicated by the appended claims, rather than the forgoing description,and all changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency ofthe claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

1. A crowd control stanchion, comprising: a base; an elongated posthaving a hollow bottom portion and being selectively coupled to saidbase; and an insert selectively coupling the base to the post, saidinsert including a lower portion having a top surface and an upperportion having a bottom surface, wherein: said upper portion is disposedwithin the hollow bottom portion of the post; said lower portion isremovably connected to the base; said top and bottom surfaces areinclined at complementary angles so as to mate with one another; andsaid upper portion is selectively moveable radially outward relative tothe lower portion, so as to exert radial pressure on the inside wall ofthe post.
 2. The stanchion of claim 1, wherein the base has a generallyarcuate shape and defines a first axial opening through an upper surfacethereof, said axial opening being configured to receive said lowerportion of the insert.
 3. The stanchion of claim 2, wherein said lowerportion is partially threaded and said first axial opening has athreaded wall configured to mate with the threaded lower portion of theinsert.
 4. The stanchion of claim 3, further including a boltingmechanism, wherein: said lower portion of the insert has a firstthreaded shaft that extends through the length of the lower portion andis offset from a longitudinal axis of said lower portion; said upperportion of said insert has a second threaded shaft that extends at leastpartially through the length of the upper portion and is offset from alongitudinal axis of said upper portion; and the bolting mechanismselectively engages the first and second threaded shafts such that, whenfully engaged, the upper portion is radially offset with respect to thelower portion.
 5. The stanchion of claim 4, wherein: the first axialopening extends downwardly partially through the base; and an undersideof the base defines a second axial opening therethrough, said secondaxial opening being smaller in diameter than the first axial opening,extending upwardly so as to be in communication with the first axialopening, and configured to accept the bolting mechanism.
 6. Thestanchion of claim 1, wherein the insert is generally cylindrical andthe post is generally elongated and cylindrical.
 7. The stanchion ofclaim 1, wherein the post further includes means for dispensing aretractable belt for joining a plurality of stanchions to form a systemof joined stanchions.
 8. A crowd control device, comprising: a basedefining a first axial opening on a top surface of the base that extendstherethrough; an elongated, generally cylindrical post having a hollowbottom portion, said post being coupled to the base; a boltingmechanism; and a generally cylindrical insert selectively coupling thebase to the post, said insert including a lower portion and an upperportion, wherein: said upper portion is disposed within said hollowbottom portion of the post; said lower portion is removably connected tothe base and at least partially disposed within the first axial openingof the base, said lower portion defining a second axial openingconfigured to engage with the bolting mechanism and extending throughboth the lower portion and at least partially through the upper portionof the insert; and said lower portion and upper portion are movable withrespect to one another such that, when the bolting mechanism and thesecond axial opening are fully engaged, the upper portion is radiallyoffset from the lower portion, thereby exerting radial pressure upon aninside wall of the post.
 9. The crowd control device of claim 8 wherein:the lower portion has a top surface and the upper portion has a bottomsurface, said top and bottom surfaces being inclined at complementaryangles so as to mate with one another.
 10. The crowd control device ofclaim 8, wherein the lower portion of the insert is threaded, and thefirst axial opening has a threaded wall configured to mate with thelower portion of the insert.
 11. The crowd control device of claim 8,wherein the post further includes means for dispensing a retractablebelt for joining a plurality of stanchions to form a system of joinedstanchions.
 12. In a crowd control stanchion system having a base, avertical post releasably coupled to the base, and means for dispensing aretractable belt for joining a plurality of stanchions to form a systemof joined stanchions, the improvement comprising: an insert forselectively coupling the base to the post, wherein the insert isremovably coupled to the base and disposed within the post, said inserthaving an upper portion that is selectively moveable relative to a lowerportion so as to exert radial pressure to an inside wall of the post.13. The crowd control stanchion system of claim 12 further including abolting mechanism, wherein: said lower portion of the insert has a firstthreaded shaft that extends through the length of the lower portion andis offset from a longitudinal axis of said lower portion; said upperportion of said insert has a second threaded shaft that extends at leastpartially through the length of the upper portion and is offset from alongitudinal axis of said upper portion; and the bolting mechanismselectively engages the first and second threaded shafts such that, whenfully engaged, the upper portion is radially offset with respect to thelower portion. 14-25. (Canceled)
 26. A crowd control stanchion,comprising: a base; an elongated post having a hollow bottom portion andbeing selectively coupled to said base; and an insert selectivelycoupling the base to the post, said insert including a lower portionhaving a top surface and an upper portion having a bottom surface,wherein: said upper portion is disposed within the hollow bottom portionof the post; said lower portion is permanently connected to the base;said top and bottom surfaces are inclined at complementary angles so asto mate with one another; and said upper portion is selectively moveableradially outward relative to the lower portion, so as to exert radialpressure on the inside wall of the post.
 27. The stanchion of claim 26,wherein the base is flat.
 28. The stanchion of claim 26, wherein thebase is sloped.
 29. The stanchion of claim 26, wherein the base isgenerally arcuate.
 30. The stanchion of claim 26, further including ameans for attaching a rope for joining a plurality of stanchions. 31.The stanchion of claim 26 further including a means for attaching rigidrailing for joining a plurality of stanchions.
 32. The stanchion ofclaim 26, wherein the post further includes means for dispensing aretractable belt for joining a plurality of stanchions to form a systemof joined stanchions. 33.-39. (Canceled)